We often talk about progress. But what is progress? Real progress is a life-changing experience.

Like the experience of single mother of four, Berenaceta Vutalolo, 56; mother of three Swastika Singh and  Esther Toma, 29, mother of six children, but separated from her husband.

They were among 31 members of the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre who graduated with certificates that certify that they have skills to be able to make and produce things.

Ms Vutalolo has been a widow for 30 years since her husband died. The Naitasiri woman, prior, to the training operated a bamboo raft business taking people across the river.

Through her meager earnings, she sent her children to school. The two older children are now working and helping out with the family. The other two are still at school.

She is the leader of the 45-member Nadera Women’s Catholic League. With a certificate in sewing she can now go back and teach the group members.

Ms Vutalolo is now empowered to use her new-found skills to earn more money to take care of her two younger children.  This is progress.

Ms Singh, who  came  from a humble background of struggle and hardship and lived for 12 years at the Dilkusha Children’s Home, now has a certificate in cookery. She had always wanted to be educated but could not access education because she could not afford it. She will use her skills to generate income for her family. This is progress.

Ms Toma, solo mum, her cookery certificate, has given her new hope after she and her husband separated.

She can now stand on her own two feet and be independent and look after her children. This is progress.

This training initiative has transformed these three needy women and given them new hope for their future.

The size of projects is not the only factor that defines progress. It’s how it affects and changes the lives of ordinary people that matters in the end.

In this case, three women, all mothers, have been empowered to take the leap forward and work towards achieving their dreams. That’s progress.

This is part of the Government’s vision of an educated and smart Fiji. That’s why it is setting up technical colleges throughout the country, the latest in Macuata, to train people who fail to make the normal academic stream,  still acquire qualifications that will help them get jobs or start a business.

Education includes not only a university degree but also other forms of training that empower people. An increasing number of people, who otherwise, would have remained in their needy state, now have opportunities to earn money and move away from dependency.

These vocational and technical courses are producing skilled people, who are good with their hands.

Graduates are making a mark in our economy by not only filling job vacancies but starting their small businesses.

We have heard that there is a shortage of skilled people in construction, and engineering. This will be resolved as more people graduate from technical colleges and other training workshops.

For Ms Vutaloko, Ms Singh and Ms Toma they are going to have a positive impact on  their communities
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